As the appetite towards the other sex is one of the strongest and most
ungovernable in our nature; as it intrudes itself more than any other
into our thoughts, and frequently diverts them from every other purpose
or employment; it may, at first, on this account, have been reckoned
criminal when it interfered with worship and devotion; and emasculation
was made use of in order to get rid of it, which may, perhaps, have been
the origin of Eunuchs. But however this be, it is certain, that there
were men of various religions who made themselves incapable of
procreation on a religious account, as we are told that the priests of
Cybele constantly castrated themselves; and by our Saviour, that there
are eunuchs who make themselves such for the kingdom of heaven's sake.